On the road to the ballot booth, it’s a free ride in Portland

Judith McAllister cast her vote and boarded the METRO, which is free all day in Portland. (Kathleen Pierce | BDN)

“Hello, I voted,” said Judith McAllister, as she boarded a METRO bus outside Portland City Hall Tuesday morning. A few other riders looked up and smiled at the elderly woman in purple. It’s the first election where the bus service is free all day to shuttle voters to the polls.

As the bus pulled up to the East End Community School, a smiling couple, one proudly wearing an “I voted” sticker, climbed aboard.

His friend Annabelle Garcia, a native of Puerto Rico, voted early but took the bus to the polls anyway. She wanted to see democracy in action. “I am worried and stressed,” said the 67-year-old retiree. “I want to see the process and what’s working and what’s not.”

Annabelle Garcia and Felix Craft discuss their vote aboard the METRO, which is free all day in Portland. (Kathleen Pierce | BDN )

Because the bus is free all day on all routes, she was going to ride it to the polls later in the day for another look. “It’s amazing,” said Garcia.

“Transit agencies throughout the country offer free rides on Election Day, including our neighbors to the north in Bangor,” said METRO General Manager Greg Jordan in a press release. “We want to help people get to the polls.”

For additional information and details about METRO service visit gpmetrobus.net.

About Kathleen Pierce

A lifelong journalist with a deep curiosity for what's next. Interested in food, culture, trends and the thrill of a good scoop. BDN features reporter based in Portland since 2013.
View all posts by Kathleen Pierce →